PROFILE

 

An attorney and federal senior executive service manager with 35 years of experience in both the private and public sectors. In depth knowledge of environmental science, policy, law, regulation, and litigation. Expertise in compliance and enforcement under all major environmental statutes and programs.  Extensive experience working with US EPA, DOJ, DOE, and State and Tribal environmental, agricultural and energy agencies.

 

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EXPERTISE AND KNOWLEDGE

 

I have broad and varied experience in the field of environmental protection, working as a scientist, attorney and manager. I have in depth knowledge of environmental issues, policies, laws and programs associated with air, water, waste, hazardous substances, pesticides, and toxics.  In particular, I have a unique understanding derived from working with numerous federal, state, tribal and local governments and private organizations in developing, implementing, and managing environmental programs.

 

While I have broad knowledge of all environmental programs, my area of expertise is with the national EPA compliance and enforcement program.  My work in this area has ranged from field level investigations and oversight to prosecutions of highly complex enforcement actions and litigation.  As an attorney and supervisory attorney I managed hundreds of cases and prosecutions undertaken both administratively and in court.  As a federal program manager I have intimate knowledge of the strategies and decision making processes that drive interactions, investigations and enforcement within state and federal governments.  As a lawyer and senior executive I developed and implemented compliance and enforcement programs, and authored national policies and strategies. I have interacted with and advised the most senior levels of state and federal regulatory agencies.  As an EPA senior executive I worked closely with all Regional and EPA HQ enforcement programs and managers and the U.S. Department of Justice (DOJ).

 

While I have worked as an attorney, supervisory attorney, manager and advisor at EPA and the Department of Energy (DOE), most recently I served as the Assistant Regional Administrator for the Office of Enforcement, Compliance and Environmental Justice in EPA’s Denver regional office. In this position I was the senior manager of a division of over 125 inspectors, case officers and attorneys responsible for oversight and enforcement in six states and extensive tribal lands. This entailed being involved with hundreds of investigations, prosecutions, negotiations and settlements conducted at the state, regional and national levels.  I have unique knowledge and perspective of the inner workings and dynamics of EPA, DOJ, and federal, state and tribal environmental, agriculture and energy agencies. For over 25 years I was involved in developing a broad range of investigatory and adversarial actions including criminal and civil administrative and judicial actions.

 

I have a deep knowledge of the development, implementation and management of national enforcement priorities and initiatives including those under the Clean Air Act, Clean Water Act, Resource Conservation Act, Superfund and Energy Extraction Initiatives. I have unique knowledge of the emerging focus on the oil and gas industry and the related enforcement and compliance issues affecting that sector.  Having designed and implemented many of these strategies, I am very familiar with the strengths and weaknesses of these initiatives and the emerging case law that effects their prosecution and settlement.  I understand the motivations, constraints and limitations of EPA, DOJ and other federal and state agencies

 

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EXPERIENCE

 

U.S. Environmental Protection Agency, Region VIII, Denver, Office of Enforcement Compliance and Environmental Justice (2007 – 2014)

Assistant Regional Administrator-Senior Executive Service

• Senior Manager of a Division of 125 inspectors, case officers and attorneys responsible for all federal environmental compliance evaluations, investigations and enforcement actions taken in the six state region

• In depth knowledge of all national enforcement strategies, priorities and initiatives (particularly in the energy extraction sector)

• Extensive experience with a broad range of federal enforcement matters including civil and criminal cases and complex litigation involving EPA, DOJ and states

• Regularly provided advice and counsel to the most senior levels of EPA

 

U.S. EPA, Region VIII

Acting Deputy Regional Administrator- Senior Executive Service (May 2009 – Nov 2009)

• Responsible for leadership and management of all programs administered by EPA Regional office of more than 800 employees

• Management of all Regional resources and ultimate point of contact for EPA HQ, States, local governments, federal agencies and the public for all activities conducted by the Regional Office

• Deputy and advisor to the Acting Regional Administrator and senior EPA managers

 

U.S. EPA, Region VIII, Office of Technical and Management Services

Assistant Regional Administrator-Senior Executive Service    (2004 – 2007)

• Senior Manager of Division of 115 employees providing all support functions for EPA Regional office of 800.

• Responsibilities included all human resources, contracts, grants, information management, infrastructure and laboratory functions of the Region and administering a $360 million annual operating budget.

• Senior manager responsible for national effort to design, construct and occupy new Region 8 headquarters building.

 

U.S. Department of Energy

Senior Executive Service Candidate Development Program   (2003 – 2004)

• Competitively selected for one year program which qualified participants to achieve certification for the U.S. Senior Executive Service

• Assignments included positions with the DOE at the Ohio Field Office, Office of Legacy Management in Washington D.C. and DOE Golden Colorado Field Office.

 

Deputy Assistant Regional Administrator    (1999 – 2003)

U.S. EPA, Region VIII, Office of Enforcement, Compliance and Environmental Justice

• Deputy Director of Regional Office for all compliance monitoring and enforcement for 6 state region

 

Program Director, Planning and Targeting Program    (1995 – 1999)

U.S. EPA, Region VIII, Office of Enforcement Compliance and Environmental Justice

• Manager of Office responsible for all strategy development, targeting, and management of enforcement data for Regional Office of Enforcement

 

Regional Enforcement Officer/Coordinator    (1991 – 1995)

U.S. EPA, Region VIII, Office of the Regional Administrator

• Special Advisor and counsel to the Deputy Regional Administrator on all enforcement matters

 

Associate Regional Counsel, Supervisory Attorney/Section Chief     (1989 – 1991)

U.S. EPA, Region VIII, Office of Regional Counsel

• First line supervisor of 15 attorneys and support staff that provided legal counsel and enforcement support to the Regional Superfund program

 

Assistant Regional Counsel/Staff Attorney     (July 1986 -- July 1989)

U.S. EPA, Region, Office of Regional Counsel

• Staff attorney specializing in Superfund and Federal Facility matters

 

Associate Martin, Knapple, Humphrey and Tharp, Boulder, CO     (1983 --1986)

• Attorney and litigator in private law office of 12 attorneys

 

 

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EDUCATION

 

University of Colorado School of Law, Boulder, CO

Juris Doctor, 1983

 

Vermont Law School, South Royalton, VT

Master of Environmental Studies, 1980

 

Kent State University, Kent, OH

Master of Biology, Aquatic Ecology, 1978

 

Bachelor of Science, Education: Comprehensive Sciences, 1975

 

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CERTIFICATIONS/LICENSES

 

Certificate of Executive Qualification,

U.S. Office of Personnel Management March 20, 2005

 

The State Bar of Colorado, Admitted in 1983

 

ADA Certified

 

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RECENT PRESENTATIONS AND AWARDS

 

Colorado Bar Association Environmental Law Section Presentation (April 18, 2017)

“Down the Rabbit Hole: Working With Environmental Regulators”

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Colorado Bar Association, Environmental Law Section (May 28, 2013)

“Post-Election Enforcement Priorities, Regulation, and Guidance”

 

USEPA Distinguished Career Service Award (2014)